Skin Firming Methods – Plastic Surgery or Creams?
By Skin Care Editor | November 16, 2009
Skin firming can be done through plastic surgery, the use of injectable fillers or with nourishing creams and lotions, if they contain the right ingredients. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of the alternatives for firmer, younger looking skin. Here’s a look at them.
Plastic surgery is rarely used these days. In the old days, we called them face lifts. They worked by pulling the skin tight, sometimes to the point where people were unrecognizable.
Today, it is the injectable fillers that have center stage. Basically, they work by fattening up the skin’s deeper layers, which has the effect of stretching them out. Women (and men) that have the procedures done appear to have gained weight, but only on their faces. Obviously it’s not a natural look.
The fillers available include hyaluronic acid and collagen. There are also a couple of synthetic fillers that I’ll get to in a moment. First let’s look at hyaluronic acid.
Although it is a natural component of the skin’s outer layers, it is not found in the deep layers into which it is injected. Because of that, it is prone to “clump” when injected. Hard spots or bumps sometimes form at the sight of injection and do not fade over time.
Skin firming injections containing hyaluronic acid, will cost between $600 and $1000. Results are not guaranteed. If the bumps form or if your face looks too puffy, you can return to the doctor to have an enzyme (hyaluronidaise) injected that dissolves the hyaluronic acid. But, your doctor is likely to charge extra for that. So, ultimately it could be a waste of money.
A low level of hyaluronic acid on the skin’s surface is one of the reasons for lost firmness. Creams on the market contain it, but are only semi-effective.
Hyaluronic acid levels are low because of hyaluronidaise. Creams containing wakame kelp inhibit hyaluronidaise, which allows levels of hyaluronic acid to increase. That provides skin firming with no unwanted side effects.
Collagen shots cost less than hyaluronic acid. The potential side effects are the same and the results are not long lasting.
The synthetic fillers are supposed to stimulate the body’s production of collagen, the protein that makes up the skin’s elastic fibers. The production of collagen naturally decreases with age. So, anything that we can do to get production going again is a good thing. It’s just that topically applied skin firming creams are safer, cost less and may be more effective than an injectable.
Research has shown that some topically applied ingredients stimulate the production of new cells and collagen fibers. Others repair sun damage and reverse wrinkles. The prices vary, of course. A designer label product will cost two or three times more than other creams that contain exactly the same ingredients.
Ultimately, your best choice is to give the creams a try. If you are unhappy with the results, save your pennies and get a skin firming injection. Just remember that many people are unhappy with the results.
Topics: Anti Wrinkle Creams, Collagen & Elastin, Skin Firming, Skin Wrinkles | Comments Off
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